Galway’s Paul Conroy has revealed that Séamus Coleman played a key role in his recovery from his horrific leg break in 2018.

Conroy was named Footballer of the Year at this month’s PwC All-Star Awards after an outstanding season for the Tribesmen, who narrowly lost to Armagh in July’s All-Ireland final.

It is a remarkable achievement for the 35-year-old, made even more remarkable by the shocking injury he suffered in the championship six years ago.

Played for Galway against Kerry in the 2018 “Super 8” All-Ireland quarter-final series in Croke Park. Conroy suffered double leg fractures in unfortunate collision with Seán O’Shea.

July 15, 2018; Galway’s Paul Conroy receives medical attention during the GAA All-Ireland Football Senior Championship Quarter Final Group 1 Stage 1 match between Kerry and Galway in Croke Park, Dublin. Photo: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

This will keep him sidelined for the entire 2019 season, with his path back to St. Louis. It’s been a tough time for James’ midfielder.

Appearing on this week’s episode of BBC’s GAA Social, Conroy told how Ireland captain Séamus Coleman reached out to him to help his recovery after suffering a similarly shocking leg break last year.

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Paul Conroy recalls Seamus Coleman phone call that helped him recover from his broken leg

Paul Conroy was special guest this week’s GAA Social with Thomas Niblock and Oisín McConville – but this episode was recorded before he was named the 2024 Footballer of the Year.

Conroy has reflected on his shocking injury in 2018 and revealed the extent of damage caused to his leg by an innocuous collision.

As a result of a collision with Seán O’Shea in the Super 8s match against Kerry in 2018, I suffered a double leg fracture in one leg and a hairline fracture in the other leg.

It was a rainy day in Croke Park and the ball was between us. Since the weather was bad, we were both thinking the same thing and went inside. I think the angel hit me, his knee kind of hit my shin, which was a bit unlucky for me. He was lucky, I could have easily been the one to hit him… this was a 12 month injury or an 11 month injury.

It happened in July, I was lucky the match was in Croke Park and I was at the Mater Hospital within ten minutes. I had to have surgery the next morning.

I had a double leg fracture in the tibia of my left foot. I’m a middle school teacher, I didn’t return to work until January. My wife Caroline was a nurse for a few months! It was my first time in a wheelchair.

It was a harrowing time for the Galway man, who will not return to inter-county action until 2020. But Conroy received heartwarming support from Everton and Ireland captain Séamus Coleman.

The previous year, Coleman had suffered a horrific leg break during Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Wales, leaving him with a broken tibia and fibula and spending almost ten months on the sidelines.

March 24, 2017; Seamus Coleman is consoled by his Republic of Ireland teammate Shane Long during the FIFA World Cup Qualification Group D match between the Republic of Ireland and Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo: David Maher/Sportsfile Photo: David Maher/Sportsfile

Among the many athletes Conroy has received support from during the extended layoff, he recalled this week how Coleman took it upon himself to reach out to him and help him with any issues or questions he had regarding his recovery.

I just kind of kept going. I talked to a few people; a few rugby players, a footballer or two from Galway, Fintán Ó Curraoin had a similar injury before this, and a lad or two playing for Connacht at the time.

It was great chatting with them because it was obvious they were there. And Séamus Coleman… gave me a ring. He had a similar injury.

He messaged me on Instagram, I sent him my number and he called me. He was a great guy, called him and asked him my questions about rehab.

I was fair to him, there was no need for him to do this.

You see a message from Séamus Coleman on Instagram…you’re checking to see if it’s a different Séamus Coleman! It was a nice touch.

As presenter Thomas Niblock will tell you, the story isn’t all that surprising given the reputation Coleman has in the Irish sporting community for such gestures.

However, it still resonates wonderfully with the Irish veteran who shared his harrowing experience with Paul Conroy.

Fortunately the Galway man’s recovery was successful and he achieved the game’s highest individual honor after an excellent season for Galway. If he can add Sam Maguire to his trophy cabinet before he retires he will be a happy man.

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